B’desh inks deal with ILO to implement Decent Work Country Program

The Bangladesh Government on Tuesday signed a deal with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to implement Decent Work Country Program in Bangladesh.

This deal is expected to give a further facelift to the country’s readymade garment sector as it aims to tackle challenges pertaining to low productivity, slow improvement in Occupational Safety and Health situation and working conditions, inadequate opportunity for social dialogue, amongst others.

The programme attended by Government official, employer, and worker organizations witnessed signing of the agreement by Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment Afroza Khan, Chairperson of National Coordination Committee for Workers Education Amirul Haque Amin, President of Bangladesh Employers Federation Kamran T Rahman, and Country Director of ILO Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen.

“Bangladesh is fully supportive of the ILO’s Decent Work agenda and has implemented two Decent Work Country Programmes so far, covering the periods 2006-2009, and 2012-2015. With the support of the ILO, we have succeeded in attaining the envisaged goals and activities of the previous DWCPs and I believe that this trend will continue in the future,” reportedly stated Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment Afroza Khan.

At the event, Director of ILO’s Decent Work Team for South Asia Dagmar Walter reportedly observed, “We are proud to work alongside the Government, employers, and workers in Bangladesh to promote decent and productive employment opportunities for its women and men…Certain challenges and gaps need to be addressed to keep up with the ever changing world of work. We hope that this Decent Work Country Program will make a major contribution to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh.”